Any town dubbed “Mayberry” by its residents is bound to be big on small town charm. Set along the banks of the Cahaba River, Trussville, Alabama, has a laid-back setting, established in part by the town’s centerpiece: Cahaba Village, a sprawling open-space mall surrounded by more than 280 residential units from the 1930s. Named one of the "Most Livable Cities" in the nation by "CNN Money" in 2011, the historic town offers a mixture of artistic attractions and recreational activities.

Festivals

Take in the lively downtown atmosphere at Trussville City Fest, an annual two-day event in May that celebrates civic pride. Spend your days perusing craft booths, listening to live musical acts and watching performances by dance troupes. Kids can enjoy face painting and caricature drawings. The festival ends with a fireworks display. Admission is free, but you must purchase wristbands for the children’s carnival rides.

Sample the flavors of local restaurants at TASTE, the Trussville Art Show and Tasting Event, held each fall at the Trussville Civic Center. Access to the one-night festival provides the opportunity to try food from approximately 15 different nearby eateries, each of which serves small portions of signature dishes. You can also grab a drink from the cash bar as you view artwork by local artists.

Trails

Explore the sights of the town via the Girl Scout's Trussville Trails, a pathway outlined by local Girl Scout Troop 872. The almost 2-mile trail takes you past some of the town’s most historic landmarks, including the 1909 Happy Hollow District Bridge and a 30-foot-tall granite obelisk erected in honor of area veterans. Pick up a free guide booklet that provides details of the trail from the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Embark on an adventure on the Trussville Sports Complex Trail, a rustic dirt path that travels throughout the 128-acre Sports Complex. Ride the single- and double-track trail, which measures approximately 5 miles, as you take in sights such as the complex’s tennis courts, softball fields and baseball fields. Nature comes alive as you ride along the Cahaba River through a forested region. The park, which is open every day, allows night rides as well.

Performing Arts and Literature

Enjoy an evening of live theater at The Arts Council of the Trussville Area Community Theater. Take in one of the productions staged throughout the year, such as the summer musical, Christmas show or fall show. Past productions included classic titles like “Blithe Spirit,” “Life With Father” and “Our Town.” You can also sign your kids up for acting classes or summer theater camp.

Expand your mind with a trip to Trussville Public Library, home to an array of special programming throughout the year. You may be interested in attending a language-learning course or an author’s speaking engagement while your children enjoy the story-time sessions and family-friendly film screenings. The library provides events for teens as well, including photography lessons, writing workshops and young adult book club meetings.

Recreation

Test your skills on the links at the Trussville Country Club, an 18-hole public golf course on the outskirts of town. When you have completed your game, take a dip in the Olympic-size pool or enjoy a game of tennis. Catering to athletes of all ages, the course also offers a children’s golf clinic on Saturday afternoons.

Cool off from the summer heat in the city-owned Trussville City Pool. The pool, which is available strictly to residents and their guests, provides a host of open-swim sessions, public or private swimming lessons and water aerobics classes. Kids can also frolic in the attached Splash Park, a run-through water playground with fountains and geysers.

Resources

About the Author

A travel writer since 2002, Leah Rendon has written countless articles for online pop-culture magazines and various travel-related websites, including Eurobooking and World66. Gosford also has experience in copywriting, having developed a series of articles related to network marketing. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in theater arts.